Oh my gosh, you HAVE to try these Christmas Tree Cake Truffles! They’re my absolute favorite holiday treat to whip up when I’m short on time but still want something special. Last year, I threw together a batch in under an hour for a last-minute cookie exchange – and wouldn’t you know it, they disappeared faster than Santa’s cookies! These little bites combine everyone’s favorite store-bought Christmas Tree Cakes with creamy goodness, then dip them in white chocolate for that festive touch. Perfect for gifting, parties, or just sneaking a few when no one’s looking (trust me, I’ve been there). The best part? No oven required – just mix, roll, dip, and decorate!
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Let me count the ways these little bites will become your new holiday obsession:
- No-bake magic: No oven? No problem! These come together faster than you can say “Jingle Bells”
- Kid-approved fun: My nieces go wild decorating these – messy hands and sprinkles everywhere included!
- Gift-ready cuteness: Pop them in a pretty tin and voila – instant homemade gift that looks store-bought fancy
- Crowd-pleaser secret: That nostalgic Christmas Tree Cake flavor makes everyone smile (and beg for the recipe)
- Stress-free baking: When holiday chaos hits, these truffles are my sanity-saving shortcut
Seriously – one bite and you’ll understand why I make triple batches every December!
Ingredients for Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Gather these simple ingredients – I promise you might already have most in your pantry! The magic happens when these few items come together:
- 1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 or 6 cakes – don’t worry, I won’t judge if you sneak one!)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (leave it out for 30 minutes – cold cream cheese makes lumpy truffles)
- Festive sprinkles (red, green, white – go wild with whatever makes you happy!)
- Optional: Red candy melts for drizzle (because extra festive never hurt anyone)
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts (I like Ghirardelli chips for best results)
That’s it! Five ingredients for holiday magic – told you this was easy!
Equipment You’ll Need for Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Here’s all the gear you’ll need – and chances are, you’ve got most of it already! My kind of recipe:
- Large mixing bowl (for smashing those cakes into delicious crumbs)
- Baking sheet lined with parchment (so your truffles don’t stick)
- Microwave-safe bowl (for melting chocolate without mess)
- Cookie scoop or spoon (makes rolling way easier – sticky fingers optional!)
See? Nothing fancy required – just grab these basics and let’s get festive!
How to Make Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Okay, let’s get to the fun part – making these adorable holiday bites! Don’t worry if you’re not a pro – I’ve made every mistake possible so you don’t have to. Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Crush and Mix the Cake
First, unwrap those Christmas Tree Cakes (try not to eat them all!). In a large bowl, crumble them into fine crumbs with your hands – it’s oddly satisfying! Then add your softened cream cheese and mix until it looks like cookie dough. Pro tip: A fork works great for this!
Step 2: Roll Into Truffles
Now grab your cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion out the mixture. Roll between your palms to make 1-inch balls – don’t stress if they’re not perfect! Place them on your lined baking sheet about an inch apart.
Step 3: Chill Before Dipping
Here’s my secret: pop those beauties in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This firms them up so they won’t fall apart when you dip them. Trust me, skipping this step leads to chocolate-coated disaster!
Step 4: Melt, Dip & Decorate
Melt your white chocolate in 30-second bursts, stirring between each. Now the fun part! Dip each chilled truffle using a fork, let excess drip off, then place back on the tray. Immediately shower with sprinkles – the chocolate sets fast! Work quickly and enlist helpers if you can.
Step 5: Optional Drizzle
For extra holiday pizzazz, melt red candy melts and drizzle across the tops with a fork or piping bag. This makes them look professionally decorated – shhh, our little secret!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
After making dozens (okay, hundreds) of these truffles, I’ve learned all the tricks to get them just right:
- Chill like you mean it: That 15-20 minute freezer time isn’t optional – cold truffles hold their shape when dipped!
- Slow-melt chocolate: Microwave in short bursts and stir well between each to avoid seizing. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil if it’s too thick.
- Sprinkle fast: Have your decorations ready because that chocolate sets quicker than Santa slides down chimneys!
- Wipe your fork: Clean the dipping fork between truffles for smoother coating – those little chocolate strings drive me nuts!
Follow these simple tricks and your truffles will look bakery-perfect every time!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
The beauty of these truffles? You can totally make them your own! Here are my favorite twists:
- Chocolate swap: Use dark or milk chocolate instead of white – it’s delicious with the cake’s vanilla flavor
- Sprinkle alternatives: Crushed candy canes, edible glitter, or even mini chocolate chips work wonders
- Cake variations: Try other Little Debbie cakes – the strawberry ones make gorgeous pink Valentine’s truffles!
- Flavor boost: Add 1/4 tsp peppermint extract to the cake mixture for a cool holiday twist
Mix it up and have fun – that’s what holiday baking‘s all about!
Serving and Storing Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
These little gems disappear fast at parties – I always make extra because people go crazy for them! For storage, pop them in an airtight container in the fridge where they’ll stay fresh for up to a week (if they last that long!). Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving – that cream cheese center tastes best when it’s slightly softened. They make the cutest addition to cookie platters or packaged up in cellophane bags with pretty ribbons for gifting. Pro tip: Hide a few in the back of the fridge for your midnight snack – I won’t tell!
Nutritional Information for Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
Each truffle packs about 140 calories – but hey, it’s the holidays! Remember, these values are just estimates and will vary slightly based on your specific ingredients and decorations. Everything in moderation… except maybe sprinkles!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other cake flavors besides Christmas Tree Cakes?
Absolutely! Any Little Debbie cake works – try the strawberry ones for Valentine’s Day or chocolate cupcakes for birthday truffles. The method stays the same, just switch up the sprinkles!
How long do these truffles keep fresh?
They’ll stay delicious in the fridge for about a week in an airtight container. Though between you and me, they never last that long at my house!
Can I freeze these truffles?
Yes! Freeze them undecorated for up to a month. Just thaw in the fridge overnight before dipping in chocolate and adding sprinkles.
Help! My chocolate coating is too thick!
No worries – stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil or shortening to thin it out. Works like magic!
Are these kid-friendly to make?
Totally! My nieces love helping roll the balls and decorate. Just supervise the chocolate dipping part – little fingers and hot chocolate don’t mix!
Share Your Christmas Tree Cake Truffles
I’d love to see your festive creations! Snap a pic of your decorated truffles and tag me – nothing makes me happier than seeing your holiday kitchen adventures. Happy baking, friends!
PrintIrresistible Christmas Tree Cake Truffles in Just 5 Steps
Quick holiday treat that’s perfect for gifting or parties!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: ~20 truffles
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes (5 or 6 cakes)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips or candy melts (for coating)
- Holiday sprinkles (red, green, white)
- Optional: red candy melt drizzle for extra flair
Instructions
- Crush & Mix the Cake: In a large bowl, crumble all the Christmas Tree Cakes. Add softened cream cheese and mix until fully combined.
- Roll Into Truffles: Scoop and roll into 1-inch balls using your hands or a cookie scoop. Place on a lined baking sheet.
- Chill Before Dipping: Pop the tray in the freezer for 15–20 minutes to firm them up.
- Melt, Dip & Decorate: Melt white chocolate or candy melts until smooth. Dip each truffle, let excess drip off, and place back on the tray. Immediately top with festive sprinkles.
- Add Optional Drizzle: Melt red candy melts and drizzle across the tops for that store-bought look with homemade charm. Chill until set and serve!
Notes
- This recipe is kid-friendly and fun for family baking.
- Chilling the truffles before dipping makes coating easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg